Electrical switching apparatus



BEST AVAILABLE COP.

AJune 9, 1925. 1,541,193

` P. c. SMITH ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Deo. 5, 1922 2sheets-sheet 1 .N 4%. HQEJQ 911% 111% h mm :55 5 I Q w Q, h d u x N y uN 5 N 4 O0 9 A 9 N 9,. www.

BEST AVAILABLE COP:

June 9, 1.925. l 1,541,193

P. c. SMITH ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 5, 1922 A 2sheets-sheet 2 Patented June 9, 1925.

BESTAVAILABLE CoP. 15M lo?, i

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in the dfjwigiuigvi -is affii'ffrot View of 'gai T;iechmisgn .lxowijigthe 'allott-in'g' devie. ,2 is`n' LSlitl `a` 1'fievj( the structureho'iifn in Fig. 1. Figa 3 is im onlm'grecl tletiil illustrating fthe'nllotfiu'g (levive. Fig. .4 sllows the adaptation of u pluality ofalloting devices To sem-'e' lnx-ge' `roup of `tru1\ksor. 'ci1jcuitstogether with muti-ol circuits for determining 'the openition 'of saiddex'ice. Fig. 5 is a diagram'- umtic illustration ofth'e controlcir-tuts of tlic nll'ottel's' wherebythe subgroups of euc'li' of :inumber of groups of 'trunks etalen fm' use inlotution.

Although the switching device ezulolyinil' this invention svzzppliciibleto various uses', it 1 i.\.iti ..1..lm:`l Suited "for ofst-\"l-l'isliing connections between. incoming circuits or trunks tlie 'seeoudof-whicli Acomprises the three ziontzflfcircuits :mil con'st-ituteuvertinl'row h" df'iiexillejwiie oontats. l'The trunk S, for instance,appear in 'the' ifirst v ei'til Aiow at the left in Fig.v 1 und iS'providefl'ivitli 5:1' set 'of liei-ble Wire contacts for eacli of thellorizo'ntl'l 'or incoming circuits. The threo- S" flexible-,contacts7', 8 and '9 :nte secured 'to an insulating lilock 60 Aand 'piojetft 'ton point where 'theirjfree ends cooperate 'with the respective wires 1.2and 3 of the lioii z ont-:l Circuit.. tacts 10, 11 and 12 representing:the snm-o' trunks '61 are also Secured tothe block (O'an project to@pointu-here they cooperate with the stationarywire'sl., 5 and 6 of thesecond li'orizonta'l circuit. Similarly. Trunk Gl' iS 95 equipped withnsiua'ny other set-s of flexible contacts as there are horizontalcircuit-s in tlie Switoh. The .suine is true of other trunks which arerepresented 'by other vertical rows."

The flexible Contacts 7, 8 vand 9 project 1"" through diagonal slots 13,14 und l5 in the operuting'crcl ''u'li'icli is composed 'of iusul-itinguuxjteiiials. The cal'cl G is supporte-tl by menus o'f'a'flexilxlespi-ing 58. one en'fl of which is secured to the block GO :xml the 10"other oud -o which normally rests on the upper conu'ctor 1. Y'itli thespring 5S ijogtiug on the 'conductor l ille flexible condurtors "T, S:in-fl. 9 .repose m the upper edges of the respective dingonuTslots outci en- 11" The thiee flexible wire cou- 9" lofi gagement..with, therespective' 'stationary wires 1,y 2 and 3. Similarly, the flexibleconductors 1 0, 11 and 12 pass through diagonal slots v1 6,I17?-a1id318'l inthe operating card "575 The card57is supported by thespring 59 which is secured to; the, block 60 with its free end resting-on he upper conductor 4.

Moreover, each of the' outgoing trunks is Provided-with .aluAindividualnPratiDg. bals.

three o fwhlieh liars 19, 20 and.`2 1f,areS l 1QWn. The bar ,lgt'isindividual tothe jtrunk 61 and is provided .,Wth. .a iexible wire lingerfor each of. ,the operating cards. I .'Ihe linger isindividual .to thecard 56, the linger 27 is individual.,to eard-157., and, similarly,other fingers.. are fprov'ided 1tor v{as many otherv oper- Sula ;.carsis56;.-5'(.etef f. f

In dition.: tothe vertical operating :bars

T19,I2O,..21,1.,the, switch iszequipped with la numberg ,of horizontal;intersecting bars 22 and23, .The bar 22 is individual to .thel1or i,

zontali c ircuit,1,;2 3, .the bar 23 is individuel to. the second,horizontal circuit shown, and, f similarly,,othenhorizontal bars (notshow n) are individuah to correspondmg =circuits.

The bar'22 is provided with-a plurality of levers 28 9.4.35, etc.,onearrangedin proximity toan 'in'sulat ing .cardfrelating to eachoftheoutgoing Inlike fashion theselectingy or controlling cards 30, 31,32, ctc.

These cards are made/of insulating material and Aeach 1s individual toone of the vertical rows of -trunk contacts. The ,card 30, for

. instance, is individual to the vertical row of contacts associatedwith the vertical bar 19, representingr the trunk (-31. The cards 31 and32 are in like manner individual to the next twovertical rows ofcontacts representing the t'wo succeeding trunks. These cards areprovided'with largeopenings or windowsl at each point of cooperationbetween aset o f iexible wire .contacts and a set of stationary 'wirecontacts. These windows are of sufficient size to permit the set offlexible contacts to project therethrough as best seen in Fig. 2. Thepurpose of these selecting card members is to cooperate with theallotting device inthe manner to be described hereinafter to allot atm.sardsiastlierearfeifer this' Particular- Narmallattheshle .fingers 2.6,'2B

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the triinlisin af definite order for use. The allotting mechanism shownat the bottom of Figs. l and 2 and in Figs. 3 and 4 Aincludes asegmentalplate or table. 33 which is fashioned' to present a series of steps ornotches (Fig. 3). The table 33 is supported on brackets 41 and42 whichare rigidly attached. to the shaft ,40, which in turn, is supsolenoidwhen energized draws the shaft 40,-

togetherwitlr-tl'1e supporting 'Stable 33, to the left againstthetension ot the spring 99. fhen deenergiz'ed the spring 99 carries thedisplaced'partsbael; to theinnormal position.. .I n

. A second lsolenoid 52is provided for thc purpose of restoring thesupporting table 33 to its normal position'in arotary direction, afterithas ,been advanced to its extreme set position by thespring 99.

Supportingtable 33 is furthcrequipped with a series of pins 37,38, 39,etc., each located, -as-'seen in Fig. 3, at the edge of one of the stepsin said table. These pins, which project downwardly, cooperate withlevers attached to the vertical operating rods. The rod 19, for example,has the lever 34 extending laterally to a. pointwhere its free end is inproximity to the pin 37. If the table33 is at the proper point in itsoperation, the pin 37 will encounter the upturned end of the lever 34when the table 33 is drawn to theleft. However, the pin 37 will notencounter the lever 34 at any other point in the rotation of thesupporting table 33. In like manner pins 38 and 39 cooperate with levers35 and 36 projecting from the respective vertical rods 20 and 21.

The-selecting oards30, 31 and 32 have at their lower ends the projectingportions 53, 54 and 55. lVhen all parts ot' the switch are innormal-position and the supporting table 33 of the allotting device isrotated fully to the left, see Fig. 2, the portions 53, 54 and 55 on theselecting cards escape the upper sui-facce of the table 33 and permitthe cards 30, 3l and 32 to fall to their lowermost posit-ion where theupper edges of the windows rest onthe supporting springs 58, 59, etc.The card 32 is seen to be in this position while the other two cards 30and 31 are shown in their upper positions with the port-ions 53 and 54resting on the upper surface of the supporting table 33.

Assume thatthc switch is in its normal BEST AVAILABLE COP".

shown); The rod 19 in Jrotating .haelt .earries allftheremaningrflexible l.lingers 27, etc. tdthei-r-jnoraiiztllpositions,while the :finger 26'Wl1ic'h wasfengnged by theflexe-r :28 is liefld in4its setpesition,.idue to the 'kf-.shaped .edge of said leven-28. Themagnet. 24tfis-iif1ai11-A tained enea-gize'd lendthereby .holdstlieioperatin'g card in 'its .operated .position to maintainthe'established connection'. i The X.'supporti.ng- 'table .33 on. .not ating. tor- Ward to pieseflectf the :next idle Atrunk bringstlieisecond''pi-ejccting pin. 38 :form-url to :1 point .where iitcoincides .:witli :the upturneal edge ofthe-leyerison the rod 20..lVlien thes'next callfcomes in and the selenoidfl is 4.ope-rated,`'fthe table is .drawn 'to :the lcft and' pinS encounters thel lever '354to rotate tlic verticaljnd() to .-prep'ar-,e allsets of vcentaetsrelating'to this particular strunl: Afor operation; .Nextoneof thel'iorizontal bars is operated: and the desired .horizontal .eirf cuitiisA comiected4 tothe second idle o lit/going trunk. Dnrin-gftl-iefoperationo the' :part-s in establishing' Ethe Secondlcbnnection. 4.fthecom'- mon selecting .czird 31 is drawn minut-nity, allowi-ng the table33 .to escape-forward another step .x'vhere it is stopped .by :theportion 55.011 the thia'elselocting card -Mthongli itlras.beeuexplain'cd ,as an example st-hat. thejhorizontzl'lcircnit 1 2, 3.is connected to thel lirlstfontgoing trunk, the drawing actuallyillustrates thisY :horizontal circuit as sbeingiconnectedrto the-.secondout going trunk rcpresenzted'liy -t-he -x'ertical -har 20,: i y ,'v

In this manner the trunks are taken for use :insti-ict succession, the,operation of lthe' .switch inwestablishing a ,connection :to one trnnkcausingtheipreselection .of the next trunk Ito handle the nextconnection. For eac-,li trunk taken-into use the vzrllotting 1devicemtates about the shaft 4.0 one step until inally :the lastitr-nnli inthe switch is ftaken.

llf'lien -this lhappenstlie supporting table 3.,

having rotated to its ull off-normal position, causes them'niatmfell'n'vhielr is rigidly attached to the bracket 41 and is looselyconnected at .its iree'eml -toftlielspilidle 45 to depress theVspillidler-to a'point where `the collar 4G engages the ypiioted lever48. 'fl-1c lever 4S moves .the switch -arnis 49 and 50 from ltheterminals 101 and 102 to the .terminals 10J-l and 104, respectia'ely.It', at :this time, ground potential again appears on the conductor 100in case of another :attempt to appropriate oneof the trunks for use, thecircuit ot' Solenoid 5l is held open due tothe position o the switchvarm 30.

'With the switch in its .alternate posit-ion, a circuit is closed fromground through the arm 49, terminal-104, .winding of the restoringsolenoid to battery. The solenoid 52 draws :in its core, which acts onthe pin 62, and rotates the allotting device iucluding theeerdsupporting table .'33 back to its normal position. .As the table 33ro tates backy to its-normal position thej commonselecting 'cards 30,v3l and 32 drop back one by one to their normal positions in order` thatall idle trunks may aga-in be takenfor use in order. 4As the solenoid 52rotates the shaft 40 to its full normal position, the spinv dle isdrawninpwardlyuto a point Where the collar 47 engages the4 lever 48 andmoves the switch. arms .49 and 50 back to the-terminals 102 and- 5101,respectively. The` lever 48 has a resilient end the purpose; oit-Whichis to -produce a snap `action in the movement ofv the switch ar1ns49 and50 from the ter'-,

minals r104 and 103 to terminals 102and 101 respectively, ywhen the,supporting table is returned to :normal and the collar.47l iseffectively-engaged with: the lever 48. If the first .selecting card 30'is stillvin an operated position' ywhen the supporting table isreturned" to its normal l position and, the sole-v noid 5,2 is then;deenergized, the supporting table `will rotate under the :tensionofspring' series is taken for usc in the manner ex- Plilllledlfv 'CIV i :vf.

Should any one vofthe trunks,after have ing been'e'ngaged, become idleduring the time the common selecting card relating to such trunk 1sabove .the surface of the table 33such-trunkfca-nnot again be take-n foruse unless-.all succeeding trunks that ,are idle have been used andthedevice restored to its normal position. Should certain of the trunks,taken into use during the operation ofthe allotting device, remain busyafter the last trunkhad beenfappropriated, the' restoration ortheallotting. device does not interfere with thebusyitrunks. The commonselecting cards are merely held in their uppermost ,positions by the ysupporting springs of the individual operating cards.

Any suitable circuit arrangement Whereby the initiation of a call placesa potential on the .usual start conductor 100 and Wherel v theselection, of the proper one ofthe horizontal operating magnets 24, 25,etc. is eir'ected, may be employed with a switch of thisv character.Reference is made, for example. tothe British patent to Testern ElectricCompany, Limited, No. 183,438 of 1923Which shows one manner of bringingabout the closure of the starting circuit and of completing circuits forthe horizontal operating magnets of the switch.

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Fig..4 4shows the invention applied lto a switch rof, largel capacityWhere a number of trunks or circuits which it is desired to The siZeaccommodates the :group of'ycards 82 Whilel the table 7 2 serves thelast group ot' cards S3. The operating solenoids 76, 77 and 78areoperatedin succession by the extension of the start Wi're 100 throughcontacts operated bythe shafts 7, tively. .y

g Referring 74 and 75, respecg particularly to Fig'. 5 the trunks of thegroups S1, 82 and 83 are divided into subgroups, there being threesungroups for each of these main groups. By meansof the circuit1arrangement shown the trunks of the lirstjsubgroup in the Vgroup l81may be taken for use fin strict rotation', whereat'terthestarting-circuit 1s extendedv to the second main group 82'auddetermines `that the trunks of the first'subgroup of this second maingroup shall next he taken for use. After all `these trunkshave been usedthe starter circuitis extended and the trunksv of the first subgroup ofthe third main group 83 are taken for use in order. Thereafter, thestart circuit is extended back to the first main group 81 and the trunksof the second subgroup are taken for use. Next,

the trunks ot the second subgroup or thel second group aretaken and,thereafter, the trunks of the second subgroup of the third main grouparev taken for use. Lastly, thel third' subgroup of trunks in cach ot'the three main groups lare taken for use in the respective order.

Vith the allotting mechanisms in their normal positions the'closing ofstarting con-4 ductor 100V completes a circuit through spring106 and itslower contact, winding otsolenoid 76 to battery. In the manner describedthe solenoid 7G causes 4the connection to be made to the first trunk andthe individual selecting card. 107 is elevated. After all of the trunksin the first subgroup have been taken for use the card 84. which iselevated when the last trunk is taken, permits the spring 106 to closeits alternate contact.' On the next call the start Wire 100 is extendedover the alternate contact of spring 106, spring 10S and its normalcontact, winding ol `solenoid 77 to battery. In .like manner thesolenoid 7 7 may loo be operated afnumherof times until ,all

groer S2.. are taken teriuse: 'When the last trunk in"th '1 sjs'ubgro`fup is'appropriat'ed, the

'thefstartiiiire IOOo'ver the alternate 'contacts the o j 'By'inspection of the circuits it i ivill 'be Anoted' that subsejq u'eut:calls will fea-use [the standings@ 'cresson-18210 be when f 'or'use,fl't hereavfter,the 'second subgroup' of the third:A group Sfthenthe third f"subg1011p5-0i1eacltofthe three grcupspS, 82 and When the,last trunkinltheflast'lsubgroup lotstitotfe-srrinlsi111'fendeffit curisfcornpletedffroln ground through this s pring `anf1'tl 1`ence in.parallel through' the windings. of solenoidsii, andSlftoba'tter'y.'Solenoids 79, 80 and 81 operatein the manner explained to restoretl1e"'allot ting'devics'g'ofl "and 72 to their normal positions.E i

1"Gh.`i,le .t.l 1e.horizoaltalcircuits 1.9, 3 and4 4, 5. 6l etcfarcspokcnot as incoming circuits for the purpose of distinction it is plainthat the circuits ma1 constitute link circuits for interconnectingincoming lines or incoming trunks to the outgoing trunks 1llustrated inthe switch. The manner in which these horizontal circuits are employedas links is disclosed anddescribed in the above mentioned BritislrPatent183,438 of 199.3.

That `is claimed is:

l. In combination, incoming circuits. outgoing circuits. separatelyvmovable contacts for effecting connection therebetween, a eoutrollingmember for each outgoing circuit, operating means for moving saidcontacts, means within said operating means for actuating eachcontrolling member when the corresponding outgoing circuit is taken foruse, and means associated with said members for allotting in definiteorder the outgoing circuits for use.

2. In combination, incoming circuits, out

th Spring 10.8 to .ns-

'ting the outgoing eireuitsvtor uselinadeti- 'sion.

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going'circ'nits, 'separately mov-able contacts for effecting connectionbetween the incoming and outgoingcircuits-a'controlling eleient for`each foutgoing' circuit-,- means for 'operating said contacts,meanscontrolled'by said operating meansforaetuating 'eaehxeontrollingelement 'when' the j corresponding outgoing circuit is taken for use,and means controlled jointly Iby said' elementsv torf allot'-nite'order." v

4'3.' In combination', a number ot'- circuits, 'separately movablecontacts for effecting connection with said circuits, a control'tingmember: for' veach `circuit,-'opeating lmeans for moving saidcontacts,meanscontrolled by said operating meansffor actuating eachcontrolling 'me-mber simultaneously" with vthe operation iet' a icontact-'set when- 'the corre spending' lcircuit is takeno e A'and'anca-nis controlled b'y said members' or" allotting lsaid cireuitsforuseinorder.' 'j 1 et'. Ineinbinatiom'f a' number"'otlcircuitss'epairate'lyv movable' l contacts 'or' 2effecting connection ith-'said'circuits, fa movable card for each circuit, operating meanstoumo-vingsaid contacts,- mea'ns controlledbysaid op'erating'means to actuateeach-card when the corresponding-circuit is-'taken-fo-r use, and meanscontrolled by said morable'eards for ailotting the circuitstor use-inVsucces- 5. In ccmbination;A a number of circuits each having a'pluralityl ofconta'ct setsjoper# ating mea-ns for opeiatillig Lanycontact' set. to make connection with the Corresp(mdingr circuit, a'siilalile controlling mem-ber for each circuit-and common to allAcont-art sets thereof, inca-ns controlled by said operating means'loractuating each'controlling meinber when any set of contacts to whichsuch member cominon isoperatt-dL and means controlled by' said membersfor allotting Said circuitstor use.

In combination, a number ot circuits each having a plurality ot Contactsets, operating bars for actuating said Contact sets to make connectionwith said circuits, a slid able controlling member for each circuit'audcommon to all contact sets thereof, means associated with said contactsets and operated by one of said bars for actuating each controllingmember when any set oi contacts to which such member is common isoperated. and means controlled by said mcmlgiers tor allott'iug saidcircuits for use.

7. In combination. a number ot circuits each having a plurality ofContact sets, operating bars for separately actuating any contact set tomake connection with the corresponding circuit, a. slidable controllingcard for each circuit common to all Contact sets thereof, meansassociated with said contact sets and operated by one ot Said bars foractuating each card When'xany set of contacts to which such 'card iscommon isoperf ated and' meanscontrolled by theslidable cardsforallotting said circuits.

Y 8. In combination, a number of circuits each having a plurality ofcontact sets, operating bars for separately actuating any` contactset tomake connection with the corresponding circuit, a slidable Controllingcard for each circuit common toa-l1 contact sets thereof, a flexible-element'associated with each of said contact sets and operated by oneof saidbars for actuating each: card when any -set 0 1c contacts towhich said card is common is operated and a mechanical ale lottingdevice cooperating'with said cards to allot the circuits for-use insuccession.

9. In combinatiom'a number of circuits each having a pluralityof contactsets, operating means Afor operating any contact set to make connection,with the corresponding circuit, a' controlling. member ,for eachvcircuit and common to all contact sets thereof, means associated withsaid co-ntact sets and actuated by'said operating meanstoeffectivelyfmove each :cont-rolling member when any set of contacts towhich such member is common is operated, and aZplurality of mechanicalallotting devices jcooperating \\vith. said members to'allotsaid-circuits for use in a desired order. y

Y 10.111 combination, a number. of circuits arranged in groups, contactsets for making BEST AvAiLAsLE coe* nection itherggwith, coppe ating'switch 'bars for actuating said `contact sets, 'a .controllingcardindividualto :ea'clrltrunk and common to all contact lseitsthereof,A an element for displacing.eachg'card ivlien any set ofvco'nftacts *tov which :such card .risicommon is operatedby. oneof ,said bars,and a lmechanical allotting ldevice cooperating' Awith lsaid cards todetermine,-tlieorder'inl which said trunks are takenlgfor use; ,Y l i,l, V'13."llhe ycoinbination in a switching device ofua series .oftrunkseachhaving vcontacts for makingv connection therewith, means .foroperatingI said contacts, controlling members one for each ,of said'trunks,`;a resilient4 bar Within said `operating means for actuatingeach controllingf memberfwhen the correspondingftrunk is taken lfor use,means controlled by vveach ofsaid controlling members for allotting thenext idle trunk ot: the series for us e meanscontrolledby said allottingmeansz for-locking said cont-rolling members intheir operated'positions,and means effective when thelast of said series of trunks is takenl foruse for restoring said allotting means and for yunlocking suchy of saidcontrolling members, as correspond to idle trunks.V fn

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this lst day ofDecember,

a.-n.1922. l Pianoro. SMITH

